Mabel Jenny (Williams) Westhafer

Mabel Jenny (Williams) Westhafer

Mabel Jenny (Williams) Westhafer, age 83, of Mechanicsburg , died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.  Mabel was born on Monday, March 16, 1931 in Frackville to the late William Williams and Helen (Eyster) Williams.  She was also preceded in death by her infant sister.  Mabel was the wife of Keith “Westy” Elwood Westhafer, whom she married on August 8, 1948.

Mabel’s survivors include her loving and devoted husband of 65 years, Keith; her children: Barbara (Westhafer) Boyd and her husband, Dave, of Mechanicsburg, William Keith Westhafer and his wife, Barbara, of Mechanicsburg; her grandchildren: Kimberly Boyd-Jones and her husband, Jeff, and their children, Reagan and Grant, all of Illinois, Nicole Stroup and her husband, Todd, and their children Brendan and Emma, all of Mechanicsburg, Kelly Benedict and her husband, John, and their son, Nolan, and another great-grandchild on the way, all of Collegeville, William Keith Westhafer, Jr. and his wife, Sara, of Mechanicsburg.

Mabel retired from the cafeteria at Wilcox Forging Company in Mechanicsburg.  She was a member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg for more than 60 years.  Mabel was a very good cook who also enjoyed a good meal out.  She enjoyed traveling, especially bus trips, and shopping.  Among Mabel’s favorite pastimes were attending craft shows, taking ceramics classes, and creating her many ceramics which included her special Christmas trees with lights.  Mabel loved the beach, and traveled to Ocean City, MD every other weekend during the summer when her children were younger.  Another favorite activity of Mabel’s was regularly visiting the Mechanicsburg Pool with her grandchildren.  Her grandkids’ fond memories include seeing Mabel driving her 1969 red Chevelle, four-on-the-floor stick shift, which Mabel was known for driving to her hair appointments in Carlisle.  Mabel laughed easily, and as her family happily remembers, “she liked people and people liked her”.

All are welcome to join Mabel’s family at her viewing on Monday, May 12, 2014, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; followed by her funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church , 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor Randall J. Marburger officiating.  Burial will immediately follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Honored to be pallbearers are: William Westhafer, Sr., William Westhafer, Jr., Todd Stroup, Jeff Jones, John Benedict, and Brendan Stroup.  Mabel’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church following the burial.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition , 344 North Reading Road, Ephrata, PA 17522, or her church, St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church , 117 West Keller Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Mabel’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Mabel’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .